By Diana Garcia

Meet Robert Shipman, a top-notch EGBI supporter and volunteer. Robert is the Senior
Vice President of Commercial Banking with Frost Bank. He is a seventh-generation
Texan who is proud to call Austin his home. Robert graduated from the University of
Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, TX. He and his wife, Jessica, are fortunate to have one
daughter, two dogs, one cat, and a bunch of fishes. Robert has 19 years of banking and
finance experience including 10 years with Frost Bank. In his free time, Robert enjoys
working closely with locally owned businesses to provide full service banking and
financial services including real estate purchases, refinances, lines of credit, and loans.

Robert shares his experience as a volunteer and collaborator of EGBI and how he, you
involve too.

Hi Robert! To get started, would you mind telling us another fun fact about
yourself?

I love dogs, food, my family, and the Austin business community.

How have you volunteered for EGBI?
I have taught classes for almost a decade, served as Treasurer, served as Chair Elect,
and am now serving as Chair.

Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
Small businesses are the backbone of our community. EGBI provides invaluable resources to small business owners where they can succeed regardless of the economic climate.

“EGBI provides Austin’s Small Business Owners with the tools to succeed regardless of the economic climate.” – Robert Shipman

Why is it important to volunteer and donate to EGBI? What do you wish everyone
knew about EGBI?

EGBI provides a plethora of resources to business owners that they can’t get anywhere
else in Austin. Volunteering at EGBI allowed me to share my knowledge of banking and
finance with the new generation of business owners.

Do you have a favorite experience about volunteering with EGBI?
Teaching classes. I love the home-away-from-home EGBI provides for business owners.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering or donating to EGBI?
Do it! You’ll be surprised how spending a little of your time can benefit others


In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve
over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Robert make this possible and continue to
help EGBI pursue their mission of training, coaching, and supporting aspiring and
existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.